The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority announced via press release Friday that Anthony Thomas, a former board member and commissioner of the Property and Procurement Department, was appointed the utility’s new chief administrative officer.
Four members of the authority’s governing board approved the appointment in executive session during a regular meeting on Thursday. One member abstained.
According to a WAPA press release, Thomas’s responsibilities will include purchasing, inventory control, property management and fleet management, and he will focus on “streamlining organizational processes, optimizing resources, and supporting WAPA’s mission to provide reliable and affordable utility services to the Virgin Islands.”
Thomas served as Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s Property and Procurement commissioner from 2019-2023. Earlier, he held positions as chief of staff for the V.I. Education Department and as district manager for the Akal Group, according to the press release. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree and is pursuing a doctoral degree in management in organizational leadership. Thomas served on WAPA’s governing board in 2019 and chaired the board in 2020.
“Anthony Thomas brings a proven track record of operational excellence and transformative leadership to WAPA,” Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Karl Knight said in Friday’s press release. “His extensive experience in both government and private sectors, as well as his familiarity with the policies and processes of WAPA, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our operations and enhance our service to the community.”
Most recently, Thomas worked for Mon Ethos Pro Support, the cybersecurity contractor whose founder and former owner, David Whitaker, signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in March admitting to two counts of wire fraud and one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds.
An FBI investigation into Whitaker and members of the V.I. government came to light in June. Former V.I. Police Department Commissioner Ray Martinez and former Management and Budget Office Director Jenifer O’Neal resigned amid the federal probe.
Curtis Jones, MEPSVI’s chief technology officer, acquired the company in April. In September, Jones accused the government of punishing the company for its founder’s crimes when it abruptly canceled all of its contracts with the cybersecurity outfit — including one to install more than 900 cameras in territory public schools.
Thomas, who held the position of vice president of strategic alliance and contracts, confirmed to The Source on Friday evening that he had resigned from his position at the company.
“I appreciate the opportunity to use my skills and experience in support of creating a much more reliable, cost-effective authority,” he said.
